In fact, the great thing about this software, like with any other open-source tool, is that it works with GPUs from all manufacturers. However, Sunshine can be a bit tough to set up, especially for a beginner, and that’s why we’ve decided to help you out. Learn all about Sunshine below; its requirements and capabilities, along with how to set it up to start streaming games through it.
What is Sunshine?
Sunshine is a fork of Moonlight. It’s an app that allows you to stream games from your PC to your phone. Functionally, it is similar to Moonlight except for the fact that Moonlight only supports NVIDIA GPUs, while Sunshine supports both NVIDIA and AMD GPUs, along with Intel GPUs. Sunshine is available for Windows, macOS, Linux (Debian, Fedora and Ubuntu only). Since Sunshine is a fork of Moonlight, it works on iOS and Android through the Moonlight app, available on the Google Play Store and App Store.
Requirements of Sunshine
Host PC Requirements:
The host PC running games and Sunshine, needs to satisfy the following minimum specifications:
CPU: Intel Core i3/Ryzen 3 or aboveRAM: 4 GB or aboveOS: Windows 10/11 (Windows Server not supported)For other OSs:macOS 11.7 or aboveLinux Debian 11 (bullseye)Linux Fedora 36 or aboveLinux Ubuntu 20.04 (focal) or aboveGPU: NVIDIA GTX 745/AMD HD 7730/ Intel GMA X4500HD or betterNetwork: 5GHz connection, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, ideally connected via Ethernet.
For a complete list of requirements, check here.
Client Phone Requirements:
As Sunshine uses the Moonlight app on mobile devices, the requirements are the same ones as set by the Moonlight app:
Android version 4.1 or later. Recent devices are more than capable of handling the Moonlight app.iOS version 9.3 or later.Network: 5GHz connection, 802.11ac Wi-Fi.A controller or gamepad is highly recommended.
Setting Up Sunshine on a Windows PC
Downloading the latest version
Installing Sunshine through the Setup
Setting up the app on the host PC
Configuring audio and video settings
Configuring advanced settings
Enabling GameStream for Sunshine (Only for NVIDIA GPUs)
Since Moonlight and Sunshine are third-party clients of NVIDIA’s GameStream protocol, GameStream must be enabled for your NVIDIA GPU. Follow the steps below to enable GameStream for NVIDIA GPUs:
Finding out your PC’s IP address
Since GameStream is only available for NVIDIA GPUs, AMD and Intel GPUs must find another way to connect to the client’s Moonlight app. This is achievable by noting your PC’s IP address. In order to find your PC’s IP address, follow the given steps:
Setting Up Sunshine Through the Moonlight App On Your (Client) Mobile Device
Linking the Moonlight app with the Sunshine service on the host PC
Download the Moonlight app for your mobile device (Android or iPhone). Similar to as you’ve done till now, follow the steps below to link the Moonlight app with the Sunshine service on your PC and begin streaming:
Streaming to your device
To begin streaming, simply select any one of the options shown to you. If you’ve chosen Desktop, you can stream any app you want. In the event that you choose Steam, you can stream any of Steam apps and games, along with the Steam store itself.
Troubleshooting
As is true with every piece of software, you can face issues while streaming with Sunshine. The most common of all will be an error where you successfully connect to the host PC but get no video signal. This usually happens after a system restart but can occur randomly as well. Thankfully. it’s a pretty easy fix. The reason for this issue is a change in the display’s output name. To solve this issue, we basically repeat the Output Name step to find out the new name and replace it: Another batch of common errors are when you get a port-forwarding error message and fail to connect altogether. All you need to do here is restart your Moonlight app. Close it and clear it from your recents, then relaunch it. If that doesn’t work, then restart your phone and you should be good to go. READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Vimm’s Lair – Classic Games & ROMs ➜
The Future of Mobile Gaming
Sunshine not only demonstrates the immense potential of mobile gaming but also offers a en enticing peek into its future. Although mobile devices may not yet match PCs in terms of power and thermal capabilities, streaming PC games to mobile platforms while the PC shoulders the processing load is truly revolutionary, paving the way for further breakthroughs. With Sunshine, you can even stream games remotely, as long as your home PC is switched on. To learn more about the endless possibilities Sunshine brings to the table, check out the full documentation here. Happy streaming!
